1. Focus on WHAT’S LEFT not on WHAT’S LOST.

PHILIPPIANS 4:10-13
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your
concern for me [referring to the Christians in Philippi that he wrote
this for]. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity
to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have
learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it
is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned
the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well
fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all
this through Christ who gives me strength.

2. Clarify what REALLY matters and what DOESN’T.

JOB 1:13-17

13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking
wine at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said,
“The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and
the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to
the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” 16 While
he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of
God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants,
and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” 17 While he was
still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans
formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made
off with them.

JOB 1:17-21

They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has
escaped to tell you!” 18 While he was still speaking, yet another
messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and
drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty
wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house.
It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has
escaped to tell you!” 20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved
his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: “Naked I
came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD
gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be
praised.”

2 CORINTHIANS 4:16-18
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting
away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light
and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far
outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on
what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is
eternal.

3. Choose an ENDURING not a QUICK-FIX SOLUTION.

2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-10

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a
thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I
pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my
weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for
Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in
persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

REVELATION 21:1-4

1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and
the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw
the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from
God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I
heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place
is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his
people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will
wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or
mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed
away.”